Cracks and broken concrete slabs at Nội Bài International Airport as a result of overload. —  Photo sggp.org.vn

HÀ NỘI — The runways of the two biggest international airports in Việt Nam will be repaired and upgraded in June, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) said on Wednesday.

Earlier on May 22, the ministry decided to approve projects repairing and upgrading downgraded runways and taxiways of Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội and Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in HCM City.

Under the project, other works for flight management, signal lights, reflective paint on runways and taxiways, drainage systems and ancillary works will also be built.

The project will cost more than VNĐ4 trillion (US$171.5 million) and are expected to be completed in 2021.

On May 27, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc agreed to let the MoT appoint contractors for the repairs instead of holding a tendering process.

The ministry chose Thăng Long Project Management Board and Cửu Long Corporation as the contractors of the project.

Nguyễn Duy Lâm, director of the Department of Construction Management and Quality of Transport Works under MoT, said the ministry established a steering committee and assigned Vietnam Aviation Administration, Vietnam Airport Corporation and Vietnam Flight Management Corporation to work closely with the contractors and the ministry to set up the most suitable construction plan to ensure absolute safety and security during construction as well as the quality and progress of the project.

The MoT's report revealed that since 2017 runways and taxiways at both airports have shown cracks, subsidence and several broken concrete slabs due to overload.

Flight operation is likely to be halted if the current deterioration of runway surface is not repaired or upgraded in time, according to the ministry.

The existing runway and taxiway systems of the two airports are unable to meet the demand for exploitation by 2025, with an expectation to receive 44 million passengers per year at Nội Bài Airport and 50 million passengers at Tân Sơn Nhất Airport.

In 2019, these two airports welcomed 70.5 million passengers, accounting for 60.5 per cent of the country's total passenger volume. — VNS